Notes and Quotes
Our neighbors to the north, the Tylertown Chiefs, will have a new head football coach this season as Osborne Holmes has moved into the athletic director job there. OJ Magee will be the new head football coach. Magee has over fifteen years coaching experience.
I asked local and area football coaches what they felt the state of Louisiana high school football was and are there any weak points? Here are the responses I received:
"I think the best thing going on now is the number of schools that have an opportunity to win a state championship. Many people argue about the split (I am not a fan of the split), but if we could figure out a way to come together into maybe 6 classifications or divisions it could solve that issue.
The biggest problem facing us now is the gap is widening significantly among the haves and have nots in Louisiana High Schools. Those parishes that have more money or have consolidated schools are building bigger and better high schools and attracting more students and student-athletes. It is beginning to separate schools tremendously and causing inadequate education across the board both in and out of the classroom."
-- Franklinton coach Nick Saltaformaggio
"I think a positive thing is the commitment and off season work from our players. In my time as a head coach looking at our program and talking to the other coaches from around the state the amount of off season work has increased. I think it's because our players love football. Players going to camps, attending their team workouts and 7on7 seem to have increased. I think the more coaches have put on them the more they have responded." ---- Pine coach Bradley Seal
"Louisiana high school football is still special because the passion for the game and Friday night traditions remain as strong as ever. We continue to produce outstanding players, and our coaches do a great job developing young men on and off the field.
I believe Louisiana football is in a great place because of the people who continue to invest in our student athletes. I think one of our biggest challenges is that many schools are trying to compete with limited facilities and resources. Giving coaches and student athletes the tools they need will only strengthen football across the state." --- Varnado coach Vonta Owens
"We have elite talent per capita among other states. We have a culture that makes Friday nights special; it's woven into the fabric of our communities and makes playing football special. We have a brotherhood of coaches we can share ideas with but it's getting difficult to find good coaches.
From my world, a lack of youth football in Pearl River is a weakness. We have flag football but not a tackle league.
Many areas of the state are falling behind from a facilities standpoint."
---- Pearl River coach Jerry Leonard
"Best thing I would say is the championship game held in Superdome. Weak points of Louisiana football, would love to add padded camps. School districts need to figure out ways to better football facilities/ indoor facilities/ practice pavilions/etc. Lack of minority representation within the LHSAA."
----- Amite coach Zephaniah Powell
"The best thing going on in high school football today is the same thing that has always made it special-it brings communities together.
While participation may be declining in some parts of the country, that isn't the case in Louisiana. Football still reigns supreme. On Friday nights, it doesn't matter your race, age, gender, political views, or background. Under the Friday night lights, those differences fade away.
Our Louisiana communities still come together to support their local high school football teams. For a few hours each week, families set aside the stresses and distractions of everyday life. The focus becomes one thing-Friday Night Lights.
There is still nothing better than seeing a packed high school stadium on a Friday night. Communities coming together to cheer, celebrate, and sometimes even cry alongside their team, whether they win or lose. Louisiana High school football continues to create memories that last a lifetime and strengthens the bond between schools and the communities they represent.
On the flip side, one challenge facing Louisiana High School football today is that fewer school administrators come from football coaching backgrounds. While certainly not true in every case, some administrators may not fully recognize the impact football has on a school and its community. High School Football is far more than wins and losses.
In Louisiana, high school football has always been about much more than the game itself. It is about community, tradition, relationships, and developing young people.
As long as Louisiana communities continue to rally behind their schools' football program every Friday night, Louisiana high school football will remain one of the greatest traditions our state has to offer." ---- Ponchatoula coach Scott Shaffett
Upcoming schedule
•August 14
ACCS at Bowling Green
Coastal at Ben's Ford
•August 18
William Pitcher at FJHS
